1x4 or 2x8 Nikon 223 scope on my M4?

I am leaning heavy towards putting a variable scope on my 2nd M4. The other has an Aimpoint. This M4 will be used to do some hunting as well as pretty much every other type of shooting. I like the Nikons 223's so far. They are designed around the 55grain ammo that I shoot a ton of. I have about a 5 or 600 budget for the optic and mounts. I can't decide whether to get a 1x4 or a 2x8 to put on the M4. I am leaning hard towards the 2x8, but I'm sure a 1x4 would be great as well. Opinions please?

im looking at picking up the 1-4 nikon for my Colt. one question...will it be able to see over the fixed front site post? i really want a quality optic(without having to spend 4/5 hundred or more) but don't want one where im going to have to make other changes to my rifle to accomodate it.

im looking at picking up the 1-4 nikon for my Colt. one question...will it be able to see over the fixed front site post? i really want a quality optic(without having to spend 4/5 hundred or more) but don't want one where im going to have to make other changes to my rifle to accomodate it.

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I got the Nikon P223 3x32 fixed optic on my Noveske, and it is friggin incredible. I also have the fixed front sight post, and it is not visible whatsoever- no "ghosting" or anything. I would imagine at 2x or less it would ghost a bit, but I don't know. YMMV

If you are looking for something for mostly bench shooting or shooting at distance, obviously the 8x would be an advantage. For close range and home defense the 1-4 would be better but the 2-8 will work in that role also. Honestly, for a do everything optic 2-8 is a good choice. I have a Weaver Euro 1.5-6 that&#8217;s been excellent.

I was never into military type guns, but I have opinions about scopes for hunting.

On bolt action rifles I've found that unless your hunt is the kind where very long range shots are the only kind expected, too much magnification is more of a hinderance than a help. If you're expecting your hunting shots to be more like only 100 yards or so, then 4X is plenty. 8X will only make it harder to find the target in the scope fast enough since the field of view is so small. You'll certainly shoot better groups on paper with 8X, but that's mainly because paper doesn't move around while your just trying to get the thing visible in your scope.

Since you seem to be into combat weapons in addition to just the hunting thing, I'd choose the 1X to 4X variable as the best all around choice for a gun like the M4, and save the high magnification scopes for the sort of bolt action target rifles they were really intended for.

For close in combat situations, I can't help but think that I'd rather have that 1X option than to have 2X magnification as my lowest setting.

I got the Nikon P223 3x32 fixed optic on my Noveske, and it is friggin incredible. I also have the fixed front sight post, and it is not visible whatsoever- no "ghosting" or anything. I would imagine at 2x or less it would ghost a bit, but I don't know. YMMV

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I have been trying to get a couple of those scopes for the last 3 months! NOBODY has them! They look like the perfect unit for a lightweight carbine. 3 power is plenty for targets out to 300 yds. (with my eyes). 32 mm should gather plenty of light for any more-or-less daylight application.

So you are happy with yours? Did you find that the reticle was dialed in for the bullet drop?

I got the Nikon P223 3x32 fixed optic on my Noveske, and it is friggin incredible. I also have the fixed front sight post, and it is not visible whatsoever- no "ghosting" or anything. I would imagine at 2x or less it would ghost a bit, but I don't know. YMMV

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+1 on this. Have one on my Stag. Furthest out I've uses it is 100 yards, but it's light and short compared to other scope options and it's only $150.

War, I think K. hit the nail on the head with his answer. While the Nikon M-223 1-4 Point Blank Reticle is one of my favorite scopes, I also think the M-223 2-8 will serve your needs better. The Rapid Action Turret will let you dial out your distance to 600 yards if need be. Granted, for my older eye's I like the the 3-12 for longer range shooting. At the lowest magnification on the 2-8 the front post should not be visable Tim. One of the really nice things about the 1-4 is that you zero 1 inch high at 100 yards and set the zero and you are 1 inch low at 200 yards. Big fun when shooting steel plates at different distances. http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/bman940/KathyARPBR.jpg

As stated in your other thread, I have the 2-8x M-223 with the Nikko-plex reticle. The 2x setting is what it stays on for the time being. As someone responded to my questions along the same line, "You move up only one power on the low side but an additional 4 power on the top (paraphrased)." I like the fact that if I have opportunity to shoot out further I can crank it up to 8x. The cost of the scope is gonna be below $400 and leave you room in your budget for whatever mount you want to go with. At 2x the front sight (on my 20" barrel) is visible but not a distraction to me. It is almost gone at 3x and at 4x it is fully out of the sight picture. I highly recommend the 2-8x. Go for it...

Addendum: The ocular is big. My Gen1 Magpul MBUS will not fit below it. If you put a BUIS on look for something that lays flat lower than a Magpul. Or use a higher/taller mount-- I have the one-piece M223 mount from Nikon.

I have been trying to get a couple of those scopes for the last 3 months! NOBODY has them! They look like the perfect unit for a lightweight carbine. 3 power is plenty for targets out to 300 yds. (with my eyes). 32 mm should gather plenty of light for any more-or-less daylight application.

So you are happy with yours? Did you find that the reticle was dialed in for the bullet drop?

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I am very happy. The scope is wonderful- got it from www.Opticsplanet.com but had to wait a month due to backorder. That was about 7 months ago.

The BDC I am still getting used to, truthfully. I find with the 62 gr ammo I shoot, the BDC is accurate. I have only shot out to just shy of 200 yards, though.

Still, the best bang for the buck and a killer optic for the 75 to 200 yard shots.

I have been trying to get a couple of those scopes for the last 3 months! NOBODY has them! They look like the perfect unit for a lightweight carbine. 3 power is plenty for targets out to 300 yds. (with my eyes). 32 mm should gather plenty of light for any more-or-less daylight application.

So you are happy with yours? Did you find that the reticle was dialed in for the bullet drop?

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I to have been looking for the NIKON 3x32...of all places, I found it at Walmart. Nobody, and I mean nobody had it, had any ideas when they were getting it. I scooped it up in a heart beat.

I was never into military type guns, but I have opinions about scopes for hunting.

On bolt action rifles I've found that unless your hunt is the kind where very long range shots are the only kind expected, too much magnification is more of a hinderance than a help. If you're expecting your hunting shots to be more like only 100 yards or so, then 4X is plenty. 8X will only make it harder to find the target in the scope fast enough since the field of view is so small. You'll certainly shoot better groups on paper with 8X, but that's mainly because paper doesn't move around while your just trying to get the thing visible in your scope.

Since you seem to be into combat weapons in addition to just the hunting thing, I'd choose the 1X to 4X variable as the best all around choice for a gun like the M4, and save the high magnification scopes for the sort of bolt action target rifles they were really intended for.

For close in combat situations, I can't help but think that I'd rather have that 1X option than to have 2X magnification as my lowest setting.

Tough choice, while similar they are quite different. I have never shot a round under the 3X Scope but I have put 1000's of rounds under the M-223 1-4 Point Blank Reticle. If I"m going somewhere to shoot stell inside of 200 yards it is my rifle of choice. Sighted in for 1 inch high at 100 yards I am 1 inch low at 200 yards. The center dot makes it easy to pick up a target and get a round off. I know down here in Tx. a lot of guy's are busting brush chasing hogs with that 3X carbine scope. Part of the reason I can't get my hands on one, to many guy's want one. Make sure you check out Spot On for the 3X and the P-Series Mounts which work great in this compact Scope. In case you didn't know, the M-223 is built on the MONARCH platform and the P-Series of scopes are built on the PROSTAFF platform.
Drop me a note with any question's.

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